The Arts Council announces the second of two rounds of the Festivals Investment Scheme (FIS) for festivals taking place between July and December 2020.

The Arts Council’s role is to advocate for a diverse and varied arts festival ecology and to provide a chain of funding supports that encourage: models of national and international significance and best practice, models that increase opportunities for public engagement or develop the work of an artist/artform, festival programmes engaged with, and relevant to the local community.

The purpose of the Festival Investment Scheme is to provide support for small festivals to deliver their festival activity. The scheme is open to multi-disciplinary festivals and single artform festivals.

(Please Note that linked events, such as quarterly music recitals or monthly literature platforms are considered low priority)

There are three bands of funding available:

Band A: Up to €7,000

Band B: Between €7,001 and €20,000

Band C: Between €20,001 and €35,000

The Festivals Investment Scheme Round 2 is open to organisations promoting festivals with a clear artistic purpose and which will take place between July and December 2020

Applications open: October 15th 2019

Applications closing date: November 14th 2019 at 5,30pm

Decisions released: Mid – late January 2020

The Festivals Investment Scheme is a non-recurring competitive scheme.

All applications must be made through the Arts Council Online Services site here.

For further information please contact the festivals team at the Arts Council: